U.S. patent application number 12/136897 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for image forming device and method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Hyo-joon Bae, Bum-kwon Kang, Gun-ho KIM, Hyou-jin Kim.
Application Number | 20090027703 12/136897 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40295056 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090027703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Gun-ho ; et
al. |
January 29, 2009 |
IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
An image forming device having a plurality of developing units
is provided. The image forming device includes a control unit to
determine whether to perform an auto color registration (ACR) with
respect to one or more of the plurality of developing units, and a
print engine unit to perform an ACR of the determined developing
units.
Inventors: |
KIM; Gun-ho; (Seoul, KR)
; Kim; Hyou-jin; (Anyang-si, KR) ; Kang;
Bum-kwon; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Bae; Hyo-joon;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STANZIONE & KIM, LLP
919 18TH STREET, N.W., SUITE 440
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
40295056 |
Appl. No.: |
12/136897 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 2215/0132 20130101;
H04N 1/506 20130101; G03G 2215/0193 20130101; G03G 15/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.9 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/00 20060101
G06F015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 27, 2007 |
KR |
2007-75675 |
Aug 2, 2007 |
KR |
2007-77871 |
Claims
1. An image forming device having a plurality of developing units,
comprising: a control unit to determine whether to perform an auto
color registration (ACR) with respect to one or more of the
plurality of developing units; and a print engine unit to perform
an ACR of the determined developing units.
2. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the control unit
determines whether to perform an ACR of the one or more developing
units by confirming at least one of a user's selection of the
plurality of developing units and a residual quantity state of
toner of the plurality of developing units.
3. The image forming device of claim 2, further comprising: a
judgment unit to judge whether printing of an ACR pattern for the
respective developing units is possible by confirming the residual
quantities of toner of the respective developing units, and
reporting a result of judgment to the control unit.
4. The image forming device of claim 2, further comprising: an
input unit to receive developer information the color of which is
not to be used during the ACR with respect to the respective
developing units and reporting the received developer information
to the control unit.
5. The image forming device of claim 4, further comprising: a
judgment unit to judge whether printing of an ACR pattern is
possible by confirming at least one of the residual quantities of
toner of the respective developing units and an
attachment/detachment state of the respective developing units, and
reporting a result of judgment to the control unit, wherein the
input unit provides a user interface (UI) to inquire whether to
perform an ACR using only the printable developing units, when it
is confirmed by the judgment unit that the developing unit is in an
unprintable state.
6. The image forming device of claim 1, further comprising: a
condition judgment unit to judge whether an ACR execution condition
is satisfied.
7. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
developing units comprise four or more developing units.
8. An image forming device, comprising: a judgment unit to judge
whether an auto color registration (ACR) pattern is normally
outputted by confirming information on residual quantities of
toner; and a color registration processing unit to perform an ACR
work when it is judged that the ACR pattern is normally
outputted.
9. The image forming device of claim 8, further comprising: a
control unit to judge whether a predefined ACR execution condition
is satisfied and to control the judgment unit to judge whether the
ACR pattern is normally outputted when the ACR execution condition
is satisfied.
10. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the color
registration processing unit performs a color registration using a
previous color registration adjustment value when it is judged that
the normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible.
11. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the color
registration processing unit ends the ACR when an ACR stop command
is inputted from a user in a state that the normal output of the
ACR pattern is judged to be impossible.
12. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the judgment unit
judges that the normal output of the ACR pattern is possible when
the residual quantity of toner confirmed through the information is
above a predetermined threshold value, while it judges that the
normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible when the residual
quantity of toner is below the threshold value.
13. The image forming device of claim 8, further comprising: a user
interface unit to provide a user interface window to inquire
whether to perform the ACR when it is judged that the normal output
of the ACR pattern is impossible.
14. The image forming device of claim 8, further comprising: an
interface unit to provide a user interface window to inquire
whether to perform the ACR to a host PC when it is judged that the
normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible.
15. An image forming method for an image forming device having a
plurality of developing units, the method comprising: determining
whether to perform an auto color registration (ACR) with respect to
one or more of the plurality of developing units; and performing an
ACR of the determined developing units.
16. The image forming method of claim 15, further comprising:
judging whether printing of an ACR pattern for the respective
developing units is possible by confirming the residual quantities
of toner of the respective developing units.
17. The image forming method of claim 16, further comprising:
providing a user interface (UI) to inquire whether to perform an
ACR using only the printable developing units when the developing
unit that is in an unprintable state is confirmed.
18. The image forming method of claim 16, further comprising:
receiving developer information the color of which is not to be
used during the ACR with respect to the respective developing
units.
19. The image forming method of claim 15, further comprising:
judging a condition whether an ACR execution condition is
satisfied.
20. An image forming method comprising: confirming whether an auto
color registration (ACR) execution condition is satisfied;
confirming residual quantities of toner; judging whether an ACR
pattern is normally outputted according to a result of confirming
the residual quantities of toner; and performing an ACR.
21. The image forming method of claim 20, further comprising:
performing a color registration using a previous color registration
adjustment value when it is judged that the normal output of the
ACR pattern is impossible.
22. The image forming method of claim 20, further comprising:
ending the ACR when an ACR stop command is inputted from a user in
a state that the normal output of the ACR pattern is judged to be
impossible.
23. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing
units, comprising: a control unit to determine a printable state of
the plurality of developing units, to determine whether an auto
color registration process (ACR) operation condition is satisfied,
and to control an ACR operation or a printing operation; and a
print engine unit to perform the ACR operation or the printing
operation under the control of the control unit with respect to the
developing units when the ACR operation condition is satisfied or
when a printing operation is requested, respectively, wherein a
normal ACR operation or printing operation is performed only when
all of the plurality of developing units are in the printable
state.
24. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein when at least
one of the plurality of developing units is not in a printable
state, the control unit controls the print engine unit to perform
the ACR operation only with respect to the developing units in the
printable state.
25. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein when at least
one of the plurality of developing units is not in a printable
state, the control unit controls the print engine unit to perform
the printing operation only with respect to the developing units in
the printable state.
26. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein when at least
one of the plurality of developing units is not in a printable
state, the control unit requests confirmation from a user to
control the print engine unit to perform the ACR operation only
with respect to the developing units in the printable state.
27. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein the control
unit determines the printable state of the plurality of developing
units according to at least one of a residual quantity of toner in
the developing unit, a removed or installed state of the developing
unit, and a user selection to exclude a developing unit.
28. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: a
judging unit to determine whether the residual amount of toner in
the plurality of developing units is below a predetermined amount
and to report the determination to the control unit.
29. The image forming apparatus of claim 28, wherein the judging
unit determines the residual amount of toner according to
reflection rates of a density pattern corresponding to each of the
developing units.
30. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein when at least
one of the plurality of developing units is not in a printable
state, the control unit controls the print engine unit to perform
the ACR operation using a previous color registration adjustment
value.
31. The image forming apparatus of claim 23, wherein when at least
one of the plurality of developing units is not in a printable
state, the control unit controls the print engine to perform the
printing operation using only one developing unit in the printable
state.
32. A method to control an ACR operation of an image forming
apparatus having a plurality of developing units, the method
comprising: determining which among the plurality of developing
units are in a printable state; determining whether an ACR
operation condition is satisfied; and controlling the image forming
apparatus to perform the ACR operation with respect to only the
developing units in the printable state.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the printable state of a
developing unit is determined according to at least one of a
residual quantity of toner in the developing unit being above a
predetermined threshold, an installed state of the developing unit,
and a user selection to exclude a developing unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2007-75675 and
10-2007-77871, filed Jul. 27, 2007 and Aug. 2, 2007, in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present general inventive concept relates to an image
forming device and a method thereof. More particularly, the present
general inventive concept relates to an image forming device and a
method thereof, which can perform an auto color registration
through an efficient use of a plurality of developing units.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] With the development of electronic technology, peripheral
devices, such as a printer, a scanner, and so forth, in addition to
a computer, have been actively spread. Recently, color laser
printers rather than dot printers or inkjet printers have been
actively spread. The color laser printer generally expresses a
color image by using toners of four colors, i.e., cyan (C), magenta
(M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In order to print a clear image,
the color laser printer performs the printing work by toner colors
using four organic photoconductive drums (OPC drums). Also, in
order to locate the respective color toners at correct positions, a
transferring process is performed using a paper transfer belt (PTB)
or an intermediate transfer belt (ITB).
[0006] On the other hand, in order to express the colors, the
toners should be accurately superimposed and transferred to a same
position using a plurality of OPC drums and transfer machines.
However, as the printing work is continuously performed, the color
registration of the color laser printer may be distorted.
Accordingly, in order to maintain the quality of an image, it is
required to perform an auto color registration (ACR).
[0007] An ACR is a correction method for matching relative
positions of four colors of CMYK to one another in performing the
print work. That is, the ACR is a technique that greatly affects
the image quality of the color laser printer, and the image quality
becomes better as the ACR is performed in larger quantities and
more frequently.
[0008] However, when one of C, M, Y, or K developing units has not
been installed or toner has been consumed in the image forming
device, an error called "CRUM Not Installed" or "Toner Empty Error"
occurs. As a result, the print work cannot be performed, or an
error occurs during the ACR operation, so that the ACR or printing
is not properly performed.
[0009] In addition, even in a special case where a user does not
desire the use of a specified color, the printing or the ACR is
performed with all colors, and this causes an unnecessary
consumption of toner.
[0010] In addition, in order to perform the ACR once, a specified
quantity of toner and time for performing the ACR are required, and
thus too frequent performing of the ACR is inefficient. Also, an
amount of waste toner is increased due to frequent performing of
the ACR.
[0011] If an ACR execution condition is satisfied, the conventional
image forming device necessarily performs the ACR work. In this
case, if the residual quantity of toner is not sufficient, it is
impossible to perform an accurate ACR. This causes an unnecessary
waste of toner and time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present general inventive concept provides an image
forming device and a method thereof, which can perform an auto
color registration (ACR) and printing without leaving an error
message even if any one of a plurality of developing units is not
installed or a residual quantity of toner in any one of the
plurality of developing units is below a predetermined threshold
value.
[0013] The present general inventive concept also provides an image
forming device and a method thereof, which do not perform an ACR if
the ACR is not necessary or if the failure possibility is high.
[0014] The present general inventive concept also provides an image
forming device and a method thereof, which can improve the user's
range of options by enabling a user to decide whether to perform an
ACR when the residual quantity of toner is insufficient.
[0015] Additional aspects and utilities of the present general
inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description
which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description,
or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
[0016] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing an
image forming device and a method thereof, which can receive in
advance any color the use of which is not desired by a user and
perform an ACR and printing only with the remaining colors without
performing an ACR and printing with respect to the color not
desired by the user.
[0017] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
an image forming device having a plurality of developing units,
including a control unit to determine whether to perform an auto
color registration (ACR) with respect to one or more of the
plurality of developing units, and a print engine unit to perform
an ACR of the determined developing units.
[0018] The control unit may determine whether to perform an ACR of
the respective developing units by confirming at least one of a
user's selection of the one or more developing units and a residual
quantity state of toner of the plurality of developing units.
[0019] The image forming device may further include a judgment unit
to judge whether printing of an ACR pattern for the respective
developing units is possible by confirming the residual quantities
of toner of the respective developing units, and reporting a result
of judgment to the control unit.
[0020] The image forming device may further include an input unit
to receive developer information the color of which is not to be
used during the ACR with respect to the respective developing units
and reporting the received developer information to the control
unit.
[0021] The image forming device may further include a judgment unit
to judge whether printing of an ACR pattern is possible by
confirming at least one of the residual quantities of toner of the
respective developing units and an attachment/detachment state of
the respective developing units, and reporting a result of judgment
to the control unit, and the input unit may provide a user
interface (UI) to inquire whether to perform an ACR using only the
printable developing units, when it is confirmed by the judgment
unit that the developing unit is in an unprintable state.
[0022] The image forming device may further include a condition
judgment unit to judge whether an ACR execution condition is
satisfied.
[0023] The print engine unit can perform a printing work using only
the printable developing units when a print command is
inputted.
[0024] In the above-described embodiments of the present general
inventive concept, the image forming device may comprise four or
more developing units.
[0025] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
an image forming device, including a judgment unit to judge whether
an auto color registration (ACR) pattern is normally outputted by
confirming information on residual quantities of toner; and a color
registration processing unit to perform an ACR work when it is
judged that the ACR pattern is normally outputted.
[0026] The image forming device may further include a control unit
to judge whether a predefined ACR execution condition is satisfied
and controlling the judgment unit to judge whether the ACR pattern
is normally outputted when the ACR execution condition is
satisfied.
[0027] The image forming device may further include a storage unit
to store the information on the residual quantities of toner.
[0028] The color registration processing unit may perform the ACR
using a density pattern and the ACR pattern.
[0029] The color registration processing unit may perform a color
registration using a previous color registration adjustment value
when it is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
impossible.
[0030] The color registration processing unit may end the ACR when
an ACR stop command is inputted from a user in a state that the
normal output of the ACR pattern is judged to be impossible.
[0031] The judgment unit judges that the normal output of the ACR
pattern is possible when the residual quantity of toner confirmed
through the information is above a predetermined threshold value,
while it judges that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
impossible when the residual quantity of toner is below the
threshold value.
[0032] The image forming device may further include a user
interface unit to provide a user interface window to inquire
whether to perform the ACR when it is judged that the normal output
of the ACR pattern is impossible.
[0033] The image forming device may further include an interface
unit to provide a user interface window to inquire whether to
perform the ACR to a host PC when it is judged that the normal
output of the ACR pattern is impossible.
[0034] The color registration processing unit may check a toner
density by outputting a density pattern to a transfer belt when it
is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is possible,
and perform the ACR work by outputting the ACR pattern when the
toner density is above a predetermined threshold density value,
while it performs a color registration using a previous color
registration adjustment value when the toner density is below the
threshold density value.
[0035] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
an image forming method for an image forming device having a
plurality of developing units, including determining whether to
perform an auto color registration (ACR) with respect to one or
more of the plurality of developing units, and performing an ACR of
the determined developing units.
[0036] The determining operation may comprise determining whether
to perform an ACR of the one or more developing units by confirming
at least one of a user's selection of the plurality of developing
units and a residual quantity state of toner of the plurality of
developing units.
[0037] The image forming method may further include judging whether
printing of an ACR pattern for the respective developing units is
possible by confirming the residual quantities of toner of the
respective developing units.
[0038] The image forming method may further include providing a
user interface (UI) to inquire whether to perform an ACR using only
the printable developing units when the developing unit that is in
an unprintable state is confirmed.
[0039] The image forming method may further include receiving
developer information the color of which is not to be used during
the ACR with respect to the respective developing units.
[0040] The image forming method may further include judging a
condition whether an ACR execution condition is satisfied.
[0041] The performing operation may include performing a printing
work using only the determined developing units when a print
command is inputted.
[0042] In the above-described embodiments of the present general
inventive concept, the plurality of developing units may comprise
four or more developing units.
[0043] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
an image forming method, including confirming whether an auto color
registration (ACR) execution condition is satisfied, confirming
residual quantities of toner, and judging whether an ACR pattern is
normally outputted according to a result of confirming the residual
quantities of toner.
[0044] The image forming method according to embodiments of the
present general inventive concept may further comprise performing
an ACR.
[0045] The performing of the ACR may include performing the ACR
using a density pattern and the ACR pattern.
[0046] The confirming of the residual quantities of toner may
include confirming the residual quantities of toner when the ACR
execution condition is satisfied.
[0047] The image forming method may further include performing a
color registration using a previous color registration adjustment
value when it is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern
is impossible.
[0048] The image forming method may further include ending the ACR
when an ACR stop command is inputted from a user in a state that
the normal output of the ACR pattern is judged to be
impossible.
[0049] The judging operation may include judging that the normal
output of the ACR pattern is possible when the residual quantity of
toner confirmed through the information is above a predetermined
threshold value, while judging that the normal output of the ACR
pattern is impossible when the residual quantity of toner is below
the threshold value.
[0050] The image forming method may further include providing a
user interface window to inquire whether to perform the ACR when it
is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
impossible.
[0051] The providing of the user interface window may include
providing the user interface window on a display of the image
forming device or a host PC.
[0052] The performing of the ACR may include checking a toner
density by outputting a density pattern to a transfer belt when it
is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible;
and performing the ACR work by outputting the ACR pattern when the
toner density is above a predetermined threshold density value,
while performing a color registration using a previous color
registration adjustment value when the toner density is below the
threshold density value.
[0053] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units,
including a control unit to determine a printable state of the
plurality of developing units, to determine whether an auto color
registration process (ACR) operation condition is satisfied, and to
control an ACR operation or a printing operation, and a print
engine unit to perform the ACR operation or the printing operation
under the control of the control unit with respect to the
developing units when the ACR operation condition is satisfied or
when a printing operation is requested, respectively, wherein a
normal ACR operation or printing operation is performed only when
all of the plurality of developing units are in the printable
state.
[0054] When at least one of the plurality of developing units is
not in a printable state, the control unit may control the print
engine unit to perform the ACR operation only with respect to the
developing units in the printable state.
[0055] When at least one of the plurality of developing units is
not in a printable state, the control unit may control the print
engine unit to perform the printing operation only with respect to
the developing units in the printable state.
[0056] When at least one of the plurality of developing units is
not in a printable state, the control unit may request confirmation
from a user to control the print engine unit to perform the ACR
operation only with respect to the developing units in the
printable state.
[0057] The control unit may determine the printable state of the
plurality of developing units according to at least one of a
residual quantity of toner in the developing unit, a removed or
installed state of the developing unit, and a user selection to
exclude a developing unit.
[0058] The image forming apparatus may further include a judging
unit to determine whether the residual amount of toner in the
plurality of developing units is below a predetermined amount and
to report the determination to the control unit.
[0059] The judging unit may determine the residual amount of toner
according to reflection rates of a density pattern corresponding to
each of the developing units.
[0060] When at least one of the plurality of developing units is
not in a printable state, the control unit may control the print
engine unit to perform the ACR operation using a previous color
registration adjustment value.
[0061] When at least one of the plurality of developing units is
not in a printable state, the control unit may control the print
engine to perform the printing operation using only one developing
unit in the printable state.
[0062] The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the
present general inventive concept may also be achieved by providing
a method to control an ACR operation of an image forming apparatus
having a plurality of developing units, the method including
determining which among the plurality of developing units are in a
printable state, determining whether an ACR operation condition is
satisfied, and controlling the image forming apparatus to perform
the ACR operation with respect to only the developing units in the
printable state.
[0063] The printable state of a developing unit may be determined
according to at least one of a residual quantity of toner in the
developing unit being above a predetermined threshold, an installed
state of the developing unit, and a user selection to exclude a
developing unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0064] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present
general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the embodiments,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0065] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to an embodiment of the present
general inventive concept;
[0066] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a construction of a
print engine unit applicable to the image forming device of FIG. 1
that performs a transfer work using a transfer belt when a C (Cyan)
developing unit is excluded;
[0067] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to another embodiment of the present
general inventive concept;
[0068] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating an example of an
input unit applicable to the image forming device of FIG. 3
according to the present general inventive concept;
[0069] FIG. 5A is a view illustrating an example of a density
pattern used in the image forming device according to the present
general inventive concept;
[0070] FIG. 5B is a view illustrating an example of a density
pattern used in the image forming device when a C (Cyan) color is
excluded;
[0071] FIG. 6A is a view illustrating an example of a color
registration pattern used in the image forming device according to
the present general inventive concept;
[0072] FIG. 6B is a view illustrating an example of a color
registration pattern used in the image forming device when a C
(Cyan) color is excluded;
[0073] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming method
according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept;
[0074] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a method of
performing an ACR by determining developing units according to
residual quantities of toner in the image forming method according
to the present general inventive concept;
[0075] FIG. 9 is a flowchart generally illustrating a method of
determining developing units even in consideration of a user's
selection and performing an ACR accordingly;
[0076] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to an embodiment of the present
general inventive concept;
[0077] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
construction of a color registration processing unit applicable to
the image forming device of FIG. 10;
[0078] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a
construction of a print unit applicable to the image forming device
of FIG. 10 that performs a transfer work using a transfer belt;
[0079] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to another embodiment of the present
general inventive concept;
[0080] FIG. 14A is a view illustrating an example of a density
pattern used in the image forming device of FIG. 13 according to
the present general inventive concept;
[0081] FIG. 14B is a view illustrating an example of a color
registration pattern used in the image forming device of FIG. 13
according to the present general inventive concept;
[0082] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a color registration
method according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept; and
[0083] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the color
registration method of FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0084] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present general inventive concept, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below in order to explain the present general inventive
concept by referring to the figures.
[0085] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to an embodiment of the present
general inventive concept.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming device according to
an embodiment of the present general inventive concept may include
a control unit 110 and a print engine unit 120.
[0087] The control unit 110 determines whether to perform an auto
color registration (ACR) with respect to a plurality of developing
units provided in the image forming device. Specifically, the
control unit 110 determines the developing units to perform the ACR
based on a user's selection of the developing units, residual
quantities of toner of the respective developing units, and
attachment/detachment states of the developing units. That is, the
control unit 110 excludes developing units of which the color is
not selected by the user, developing units having insufficient
residual quantities of toner, and developing units removed out of
the image forming device, and performs the ACR with respect to the
remaining developing units.
[0088] The print engine unit 120 performs the ACR using the
developing units determined by the control unit 110 among the
plurality of developing units. The detailed construction of the
print engine unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG.
2.
[0089] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the construction of
a print engine unit applicable to the image forming device of FIG.
1 that performs a transfer work using a transfer belt when a C
(Cyan) developing unit is excluded.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 2, the print engine unit 120 may include a
transfer belt 10, a drive roller 20, four T1 transfer rollers 30,
40, 50, and 60, four organic photoconductive drums (OPC drums) 35,
45, 55, and 65, a T2 transfer roller 70, a T2 backup roller 80, and
three developing units 75, 85, and 95.
[0091] Particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a C (Cyan)
developing unit may be removed from the print engine unit 120, and
K (Black), M (Magenta), and Y (Yellow) developing units 75, 85, and
95 may be provided provided. Toners corresponding to K (Black), M
(Magenta), and Y (Yellow) are attached through respective
development processes to a latent image portion formed on the OPC
drums 35, 55, and 65, respectively. Accordingly, even if the C
developing unit is not provided, the developing process is
performed with the remaining developing units except for the C
(Cyan) developing unit, without displaying an error message such as
"CRUM Not Installed" in a conventional manner.
[0092] The T1 transfer rollers 30, 40, 50, and 60 that correspond
to the respective OPC drums 35, 45, 55, and 65, respectively, are
formed along the transfer belt 10. Accordingly, the toners attached
to surfaces of the respective OPC drums 35 to 65 are first
transferred to a surface of the transfer belt 10 by the respective
T1 transfer rollers 30 to 60. In this case, by recognizing a
position mark 11 located on the transfer belt 10 and synchronizing
the operation of the respective OPC drums 35 to 65 with the
operation of the T1 transfer rollers 30 to 60, one color image is
presented. Accordingly, the image formed on the transfer belt 10 is
transferred to a printing medium 90 through a second transfer
process between the T2 transfer roller 70 and the T2 backup roller
80. Meanwhile, the drive roller 20 serves to move the transfer belt
10 at a proper speed.
[0093] The print engine unit 120 forms a color registration pattern
on the transfer belt 10 using the respective transfer rollers 30 to
60 and the respective OPC drums 35 to 65. Then, the print engine
unit 120 matches a transfer timing of the respective transfer
rollers 30 to 60 in accordance with a degree of misregistration
among the formed color registration patterns. For example, if it is
judged that the M-toner image is formed after an exact position,
i.e., if it is judged that the forming of the M-toner image is
delayed, the print engine unit 120 shortens the drive timing of the
third T1 roller 50. By contrast, if it is judged that the M-toner
image is formed before the exact position, i.e., if it is judged
that the forming of the M-toner image precedes the exact position,
the print engine unit 120 delays the drive timing of the third T1
roller 50.
[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 2, if at least one developing unit is
initially missing among the plurality of developing units or any
developing unit is removed during use, the developing unit is in an
unprintable state, and thus the control unit 110 excludes
determinations regarding the corresponding developing unit. As
described above, the controller 110 can judge whether a print work
and an ACR work using the print work can be performed in
consideration of the user's selection, in addition to the residual
quantities of toner of the respective developing units and the
attachment/detachment of the respective developing units.
[0095] On the other hand, the print engine unit 120 performs the
print work when a print command is inputted. In this case, the
print engine unit 120 performs the print work using only the
printable developing units, instead of reporting that the print
work is impossible by outputting an error message like the
conventional device. For example, if the print command is inputted
in a state that the C (Cyan) developing unit is not provided in the
print engine unit or the M developing unit has insufficient toner,
the print is performed using the remaining toner only except for C
or M color. Latent images are formed on the respective OPC drums 35
to 65 by scanning laser beams onto the respective OPC drums 35 to
65, and the development of an actual printing medium is performed
using the remaining developing units except for the C developing
unit or the M developing unit. Thereafter, toners of the Y and K
colors, except for the C or M color, are superimposed on the
printing medium 90, and then fused on the printing medium 90
through a fuser (not illustrated) to complete the print work.
[0096] If toner of a specified color is insufficient or if any
developing unit is removed, the color representation is not
normally performed. Accordingly, if even a single developing unit
among the C, M, and Y developing units is removed, or even one
color toner is insufficient, the print engine unit 120 may perform
the print work using only the K developing unit 75.
[0097] Although C, M, Y, and K developing units are illustrated in
FIG. 2, the number of developing units may differ according to
embodiments of the present general inventive concept. For example,
in addition to the C, M, Y, and K developing units, at least one of
right C, right M, right K, dark gray, photo blue, and photo black
developing units may be included. As described above, the
developing units can be implemented using the existing developing
units and developing units of which the colors can be used
later.
[0098] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to another embodiment of the present
general inventive concept.
[0099] Referring to FIG. 3, the image forming device may include an
input unit 130, a judgment unit 140, and a condition judgment unit
150, in addition to the control unit 110 and the print engine unit
120.
[0100] The judgment unit 140 judges whether the respective
developing units are in a printable state. Specifically, the
judgment unit 140 judges whether the respective developing units
can normally print an ACR pattern by confirming the residual
quantities of toner of the respective developing units. In
addition, the judgment unit 140 may judge whether the developing
units are printable by confirming whether the developing units are
installed and confirming whether the residual quantities of toner
of the confirmed developing units are above a predetermined
threshold value.
[0101] Specifically, the judgment unit 140 can confirm the residual
quantities of toner of the respective developing units through CRUM
attached to the respective developing units or memories provided
outside the respective developing units. The residual quantity of
toner is affected by a number of prints already performed, a number
of print dots, and so forth. In this case, the residual quantities
of toner of the respective developing units are confirmed, and thus
if the quantities of toner of the C (Cyan) and M (Magenta)
developing units are insufficient, the judgment unit 140 judges
that the corresponding developing units are in an unprintable
state.
[0102] The judgment unit 140 reports the result of judgment to the
control unit 110, so that the control unit 110 can determine usable
developing units.
[0103] The input unit 130 receives a user's selection of colors to
be used, and reports the result of selection to the control unit
140.
[0104] The control unit 110 determines the printable developing
units among the developing units corresponding to the colors
selected through the input unit 130, and controls the print engine
unit 120 to perform the ACR using the determined developing units.
For example, if it is selected that the C (Cyan) color is not used
through the input unit 130 and the residual quantity of toner of
the M (Magenta) developing unit is below a reference threshold
value, the control unit 110 additionally excludes the M (Magenta)
developing unit of which the residual quantity of toner is below
the reference threshold value from the developing units along with
the C (Cyan) developing unit, and performs the ACR using only the Y
(Yellow) and K (Black) developing units.
[0105] The condition judgment unit 150 judges whether an ACR
execution condition is satisfied. Specifically, if the print work
is continuously performed, a temperature inside a main body of the
print engine unit increases, and thus, the drive roller expands to
change a diameter of the drive roller. As a result, even if the
drive roller rotates with the same revolutions, the moving speed of
the transfer belt differs, and thus the ACR is required.
[0106] In addition, even if at least one developing unit among C
(Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) developing units is
replaced, a position of the newly replaced developing unit may be
distorted, and thus, the ACR is required in this case.
[0107] In addition, it may be preset to perform the ACR even in the
case where a sleep mode in which no print is performed is
maintained for a specified time, a cover of the main body is not
open for a specified time, and a predetermined number of prints are
printed.
[0108] The condition judgment unit 150 judges whether any one of
ACR execution conditions is satisfied, and the print engine unit
120 performs the ACR according to the result of judgment. In other
embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the
above-described function of the condition judgment unit 150 may be
performed by the control unit 110. Also, inside or outside the
print engine unit 120, a color registration processing unit (not
illustrated) to perform the ACR work may be separately
provided.
[0109] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating an example of the
input unit 130 that is applicable to the image forming device of
FIG. 3 according to the present general inventive concept.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 4A, the input unit 130 may receive a
user's command through a window for basic print settings of a host
(not illustrated). In FIG. 4A, "Color" may be selected as a color
mode from a graphic tap of the window. If "Color" is selected as a
color mode, colors to be used to print can be selected by selecting
again at least one color among C (Cyan), M (Magenta), (Y (Yellow),
and K (Black).
[0111] Referring to FIG. 4B, the user's command can be directly
inputted through a user interface (UI) provided in the image
forming device. Specifically, the user's command can be inputted
through a manipulation panel and an LCD window provided in the
image forming device. By selecting at least one color among C
(Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black), the colors to be
used to print can be selected by the user.
[0112] Although not illustrated in FIG. 4B, the input unit 130 of
the image forming device according to the present general inventive
concept may be provided with a touch screen type LCD window to
receive an input of a user's color selection command.
[0113] On the other hand, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is exemplified
that the colors to be used by the user are selectable. However,
colors that are not used by the user may be inputted and selected
instead.
[0114] If the unprintable developing unit is confirmed by the
judgment unit 140, the input unit 130 may provide a UI to inquire
whether the ACR is performed using only the printable developing
units.
[0115] Specifically, if the residual quantity of toner of one
developing unit is below the predetermined threshold value, and
thus, the corresponding developing unit is judged as an unprintable
developing unit by the judgment unit 140, the input unit 130 of the
image forming device according to the present general inventive
concept provides a UI for inquiring whether to continuously perform
the printing and ACR instead of outputting an error message such as
"CRUM Not Installed" or "Toner Empty".
[0116] FIG. 5A is a view illustrating an example of a density
pattern used in the image forming device of FIG. 3 according to the
present general inventive concept, and FIG. 5B is a view
illustrating an example of a density pattern used in the image
forming device when a C (Cyan) color is excluded.
[0117] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, in a typical ACR
process, the print engine unit 120 prints the density pattern as
illustrated in FIG. 5A on the transfer belt for the C (Cyan), M
(Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) developing units, and if a
density value that is lower than a predetermined density is
calculated, it is judged that the performing of the ACR is
required.
[0118] The judgment unit 140 may judge the developing unit having
insufficient toner by confirming the density pattern as illustrated
in FIG. 5A. That is, the judgment unit confirms the toner densities
of the respective colors by checking the reflection rate of the
density pattern for respective colors, using light-emitting diodes
and photodiodes. Accordingly, if the confirmed density is lower
than the predetermined threshold density, the developing unit of
the corresponding color may be excluded from the ACR work or print
work.
[0119] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 5B, the control unit
110 performs a density pattern printing using only the remaining
developing units judged by the judgment unit 140 to be printable,
excluding the C (Cyan) developing unit.
[0120] Also, if a user's command to additionally exclude other
developing units is inputted through the input unit 130, the
density pattern of another color may be additionally excluded.
[0121] FIG. 6A is a view illustrating an example of a color
registration pattern used in the image forming device of FIG. 3
according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept, and FIG. 6B is a view illustrating an example of a color
registration pattern used in the image forming device when the C
(Cyan) color is excluded.
[0122] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, in a typical ACR
process, the print engine unit 120 outputs the color registration
pattern for the respective developing unit as illustrated in FIG.
6A to the transfer belt, and if a misregistration over a
predetermined threshold value occurs in comparison to the existing
output pattern, it may judge that performing of the ACR is
required.
[0123] Referring to FIG. 6B, the printing of a color registration
pattern is performed using only the remaining developing units
judged as printable by the judgment unit 140 excluding the C (Cyan)
developing unit.
[0124] Also, if a user's command to additionally exclude another
developing unit is inputted through the input unit 130, another
color registration pattern may be additionally excluded as
illustrated in FIG. 6B.
[0125] On the other hand, the image forming device according to
another embodiment of the present general inventive concept
performs a printing work in the same manner as the image forming
device that performs the ACR. In this case, if the print command is
inputted, the print engine unit 120 performs the print work using
only the printable developing units. Since other construction and
function are similar as those of the image forming device that
performs the ACR, the detailed description thereof will be
omitted.
[0126] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming method
according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept.
[0127] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation S710 whether to perform an
ACR is determined for the respective developing units. The
determination whether to perform the ACR may be made based on
residual quantities of toner of the respective developing units, a
user's selection of the developing units, and so forth. That is,
developing units having insufficient residual quantities of toner
or developing units of a color that a user sets not to use may be
excluded, and the ACR may be performed using only the remaining
developing units.
[0128] Then, in operation S720 the ACR work is performed with
respect to the determined developing units.
[0129] On the other hand, if a print command is inputted in a state
that the developing units to be used are determined, the print work
may be performed using only the determined developing units.
[0130] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a method of
performing an ACR by determining developing units according to
residual quantities of toner in the image forming method according
to the present general inventive concept.
[0131] Referring to FIG. 8, in operation S810 the residual
quantities of toner and whether the developing units are provided
are confirmed, and in operation S820 it is judged whether
developing units having insufficient residual quantities of toner
exist or whether at least one developing unit of the plurality of
developing units is removed.
[0132] If the residual quantity of toner is below a predetermined
threshold value or at least one developing unit of the plurality of
developing units is removed, in operation S830 the ACR is performed
using the remaining developing units except for the removed
developing unit or the developing unit having insufficient residual
quantity of toner. By contrast, if the residual quantity of toner
is above the predetermined threshold value or no developing unit is
removed, in operation S840 the ACR is performed with respect to all
the developing units.
[0133] FIG. 9 is a flowchart generally illustrating a method of
determining developing units even in consideration of a user's
selection and performing an ACR accordingly.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation S910 the colors that will
not be used during the printing are selected by a user.
[0135] In operation S915 it is judged whether an ACR execution
condition is satisfied. If the ACR execution condition is satisfied
as a result of judgment, in operation S920 the residual quantities
of toner for the plurality of developing units and whether the
developing units are installed are confirmed.
[0136] In operation S925 it is judged whether the residual quantity
of toner of at least one developing unit among the plurality of
developing units is below the predetermined threshold value, or at
least one developing unit of the plurality of developing units is
removed.
[0137] If the residual quantity of toner of at least one developing
unit among the plurality of developing units is below the
predetermined threshold value or if at least one developing unit of
the plurality of developing units is removed as a result of
judgment, in operation S930 the ACR is performed using the
remaining developing units, while excluding the developing units
having insufficient amount of toner or the removed developing
units. In other words, the ACR is performed using the remaining
developing units, while excluding the developing unit that
represents the color selected in operation S910 and the developing
units not in a printable state.
[0138] On the other hand, in operation S925, if the residual
quantity of toner of the plurality of developing units is above the
predetermined threshold value and no developing unit is removed as
a result of judgment, in operation S935 the ACR is performed using
the developing unit of which the color is selected in operation
S910.
[0139] In operation S940 and S945, it is judged whether to perform
print work operations S930 and S935.
[0140] If it is intended to perform the print work as a result of
judgment, in operation S950 and S955, the print work is performed
using only the printable developing units among the plurality of
developing units.
[0141] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of
an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present
general inventive concept.
[0142] The image forming device of FIG. 10 may include a judgment
unit 1020 and a color registration processing unit 1030.
[0143] The judgment unit 1020 judges whether an ACR work can be
normally performed by confirming information on residual quantities
of toner. Specifically, the judgment unit 1020 judges whether the
ACR pattern is outputted with a normal density and the registration
value can be accurately calculated. That is, the judgment unit 1020
confirms information on the residual quantity of toner, and if the
residual quantity of toner is above a predetermined threshold
value, it judges that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
possible, while if the residual quantity of toner is below the
predetermined threshold value, it judges that the normal output of
the ACR pattern is impossible. In this case, the judgment unit 1020
may read the pre-stored information on the residual quantity of
toner, or may directly confirm the residual quantity of toner
remaining in a toner cartridge using a sensor.
[0144] The color registration processing unit 1030 performs the ACR
work. Also, the color registration processing unit 1030 performs
the ACR work using a density pattern and an ACR pattern.
Specifically, details of the color registration processing unit
1030 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0145] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
construction of a color registration processing unit applicable to
the image forming device of FIG. 10.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 11, the color registration processing unit
1030 may include a color registration control unit 1110, a print
unit 1120, a sensing unit 1130, and a registration performing unit
1140. If the ACR condition is satisfied in a state that the image
forming device performs a general operation, such as an image
printing, it is switched over to an ACR performing state, and thus
the color registration processing unit 1030 performs the ACR
work.
[0147] That is, if the image forming device is switched over to the
ACR state, the color registration control unit 1110 controls the
print unit 1120 to output a color registration pattern to a
transfer belt. If the color registration pattern is outputted to
the transfer belt, the sensing unit 1130 senses a degree of
misregistration among the color registration patterns. The color
registration control unit 1110 calculates the registration value
from the resultant value of sensing, and controls the registration
performing unit 1140 to perform the correction according to the
calculated registration value. Accordingly, the registration
performing unit 1140 corrects data by an ACR algorithm. If the data
correction is completed, the color registration control unit 1110
ends the ACR state, and the image forming device is switched over
to an image printing state.
[0148] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a
construction of a print unit 1120 applicable to the image forming
device of FIG. 11 that performs a transfer work using a transfer
belt.
[0149] Referring to FIG. 12, the print unit 1120 may include a
transfer belt 10, a drive roller 20, four T1 transfer rollers 30,
40, 50, and 60, four organic photoconductive drums (OPC drums) 35,
45, 55, and 65, a T2 transfer roller 70, and a T2 backup roller
80.
[0150] Toners corresponding to C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow),
and K (Black) are attached through respective development processes
to a latent image portion formed on the OPC drums 35 to 65. In FIG.
12, the illustration of developing units is omitted.
[0151] The T1 transfer rollers 30 to 60 that correspond to the
respective OPC drums 35 to 65 are formed along the transfer belt
10. Accordingly, the toners attached to surfaces of the respective
OPC drums 35 to 65 are first transferred to a surface of the
transfer belt 10 by the respective T1 transfer rollers 30 to 60. In
this case, by recognizing a position mark 11 located on the
transfer belt 10 and synchronizing an operation of the respective
OPC drums 35 to 65 with the operation of the T1 transfer rollers 30
to 60, one color image is presented. Accordingly, the color image
formed on the transfer belt 10 is transferred to a printing medium
90 through a second transfer process between the T2 transfer roller
70 and the T2 backup roller 80. Meanwhile, the drive roller 20
serves to move the transfer belt 10 at a proper speed.
[0152] If a registration period that corresponds to the present
operation mode arrives in a state that the print unit 1120 is
constructed as illustrated in FIG. 12, the color registration
processing unit 1030 forms a color registration pattern on the
transfer belt 10 using the respective transfer rollers 30 to 60 and
the respective OPC drums 35 to 65. Then, the color registration
processing unit 1030 matches the transfer timing of the respective
transfer rollers 30 to 60 in accordance with the degree of
misregistration among the formed color registration patterns. For
example, if it is judged that the C-toner image is formed after an
exact position, i.e., if it is judged that the forming of the
C-toner image is delayed, the color registration processing unit
1030 shortens a drive timing of the second T1 roller 40. By
contrast, if it is judged that the C-toner image is formed before
the exact position, i.e., if it is judged that the forming of the
C-toner image precedes the exact position, the color registration
processing unit 1030 delays the drive timing of the second T1
roller 40. As described above, the color registration processing
unit 1030 controls the print unit 1120 to form the color
registration pattern set for a predetermined time whenever the ACR
execution condition is satisfied, and performs the color
registration work by comparing the color registration patterns with
each other.
[0153] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a construction of an
image forming device according to another embodiment of the present
general inventive concept.
[0154] The image forming device according to another embodiment of
the present general inventive concept may further include a storage
unit 1010, a control unit 1040, a user interface unit 1050, and an
interface unit 1060, in addition to the judgment unit 1020 and the
color registration processing unit 1030.
[0155] The storage unit 1010 stores information on residual
quantities of toner. Specifically, the storage unit 1010 may be
attached to a main body, a developing unit, or a toner bottle. The
information on the residual quantities of toner may be information
directly indicating the residual quantities of toner stored in the
storage unit 1010, or may be information, such as a number of
pre-performed prints that affect the residual quantity of toner, or
a number of print dots. The information on the residual quantities
of toner may be stored in the storage unit 1010, or may be directly
measured from the respective development units without being stored
in the storage unit 1010.
[0156] The control unit 1040 judges whether an ACR execution
condition is satisfied.
[0157] Specifically, if print work is continuously performed, a
temperature inside a main body is increased, and thus, the drive
roller expands to change a diameter of the drive roller. As a
result, even if the drive roller rotates with the same revolutions,
a moving speed of a transfer belt differs, and thus, the ACR is
required.
[0158] In addition, even if at least one developing unit among C
(Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black) developing units is
replaced, a position of the newly replaced developing unit may be
distorted, and thus the ACR is required in this case.
[0159] In addition, it may be preset to perform the ACR even in the
case where a sleep mode in which no print is performed is
maintained for a specified time, or a cover of the main body is not
opened for a specified time.
[0160] The color registration processing unit 1030 may perform the
color registration using a previous color registration adjustment
value, i.e., lately updated color registration adjustment value if
it is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
impossible. Also, the color registration processing unit 1030 ends
the ACR if an ACR stop command is inputted from a user in a state
that the normal output of the ACR pattern is judged to be
impossible.
[0161] The previous color registration adjustment value may be a
value determined based on data of the ACR that has been performed
most recently.
[0162] On the other hand, the user interface unit 1050 may receive
a user's input of whether to perform the ACR. Specifically, if it
is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible
by the judgment unit 1020, the user interface unit 1050 provides a
user interface window to receive a user's input of whether to
perform the ACR.
[0163] The interface unit 1060 provides the user interface window
to inquire whether to perform the ACR to a host PC. Specifically,
if it is judged that the normal output of the ACR pattern is
impossible by the judgment unit 1020, the interface unit 1060
provides the user interface window to the host PC.
[0164] If a user's command not to use ACR is inputted through the
user interface unit 1050 or the interface unit 1060, the control
unit 1040 controls the color registration processing unit 1030 to
perform the color registration using the previous or lately updated
color registration adjustment value.
[0165] If it is judged that the ACR pattern is to be normally
outputted through the judgment of information on the residual
quantity of toner stored in the storage unit 1010 or directly
measured, the judgment unit may judge once again whether the
residual quantity of toner is sufficient by outputting a density
pattern on the transfer belt. If the toner density of the density
pattern outputted to the transfer belt is below the predetermined
threshold density value, the color registration may be performed
using the updated color registration adjustment value.
[0166] FIG. 14A is a view illustrating an example of a density
pattern used in the image forming device of FIG. 13 according to
the present general inventive concept, and FIG. 14B is a view
illustrating an example of a color registration pattern used in the
image forming device according to the present general inventive
concept.
[0167] If the density value that is lower than the predetermined
density is calculated through the printing of the density pattern
as illustrated in FIG. 14A on a paper transfer belt (PTB) or an
intermediate transfer belt (PTB) for the C, M, Y, and K developing
units, the image forming device judges that the performing of the
ACR is required.
[0168] Also, the image forming device outputs the color
registration pattern as illustrated in FIG. 14B to the paper
transfer belt or intermediate transfer belt, and if the
misregistration over the predetermined threshold value occurs in
comparison to the existing output pattern, it may judge that
performing of the ACR is required.
[0169] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a color registration
method according to an embodiment of the present general inventive
concept, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating in detail the
color registration method of FIG. 15.
[0170] Referring to FIG. 15, according to the color registration
method, in operation S1510 it is confirmed whether an ACR execution
condition is satisfied, in operation S1520 the residual quantity of
toner is confirmed, and then, in operation S1530 it is judged
whether the ACR pattern can be normally outputted according to the
result of confirming the residual quantity of toner.
[0171] Referring to FIG. 16, in operation S1610 it is judged
whether an ACR execution condition is satisfied.
[0172] If it is judged that the ACR execution condition is
satisfied, in operation S1615 information on residual quantity of
toner is read. In this case, the information on the residual
quantity of toner can be read directly or from a memory provided in
the main body or CRUM in the developing cartridge.
[0173] In operation S1620 it is judged whether the normal output of
the ACR pattern is possible by comparing the read information on
the residual quantity of toner with the pre-stored information on
the residual quantity of toner.
[0174] If the normal output of the ACR pattern is impossible as a
result of judgment, in operation S1625 it is reported to the user
that the toner is insufficient to perform the ACR, and input on
whether to perform the ACR is received, and then in operation S1630
it is judged whether to perform the ACR according to the user's
input. If a command not to perform the ACR is inputted from the
user, in operation S1635 it is judged whether to perform the color
registration. If a command to perform the ACR is inputted from the
user, in operation S1640 the color registration is performed using
the lately updated color registration adjustment value. On the
other hand, it is judged whether to perform the ACR, and if a
command to stop the performing of the color registration is
inputted from the user, the ACR is ended.
[0175] On the other hand, in operation S1620 if it is judged that
the normal output of the ACR pattern is possible, in operation
S1645 a sensor including a photodiode and a light-emitting diode is
initialized.
[0176] After the sensor is initialized, in operation S1650 the
density pattern is outputted to the paper transfer belt or
intermediate transfer belt, and in operation S1655 it is judged
whether the output density pattern indicates a density sufficient
to perform the ACR through the sensor.
[0177] Specifically, in operation S1650 by outputting the density
pattern to the paper transfer belt or intermediate transfer belt,
in operation S1655 it can be confirmed whether the residual
quantity of toner is sufficient to perform the ACR. If the residual
quantity of toner is not sufficient, a pattern having a density
value lower than the predetermined density is outputted to the
paper transfer belt or intermediate transfer belt, and thus the
size of the reflected light that is sensed by the sensor is
decreased. Accordingly, it is judged whether the density is
sufficient to normally perform the ACR based on the sensed value.
On the other hand, the output density pattern can be changed to a
certain pattern by the user.
[0178] If the density is not sufficient to perform the ACR as a
result of judgment, in operation S1640 the color registration is
performed using the lately updated color registration adjustment
value.
[0179] On the other hand, if the density is sufficient to perform
the ACR, in operation S1660 the color registration pattern is
outputted to the paper transfer belt or intermediate transfer
belt.
[0180] Then, in operation S1665 it is judged whether the color
registration pattern is outputted for a predetermined number of
times (e.g., N times) to calculate the data.
[0181] If the color registration pattern is not outputted for a
predetermined number of times (e.g., N times) as a result of
judgment, the process returns to the operation S1660 to calculate
an accurate data value, and the color registration pattern is
outputted to the transfer belt.
[0182] By contrast, if the color registration pattern is outputted
for a predetermined number of times (e.g., N times) in operation
S1670 data is corrected by the ACR algorithm, and in operation
S1680 the ACR state is ended.
[0183] According to the present general inventive concept, even
when a single developing unit among the plurality of developing
units is missing or when the residual quantity of toner of one
developing unit is below the predetermined threshold value, the ACR
is performed along with the printing, instead of issuing an error
message, and thus improved printing and ACR operations are
provided.
[0184] Furthermore, user convenience is improved, because user is
enabled to input colors he does not want to use in advance and the
printing and ACR operations are performed while excluding the
colors selected by the user.
[0185] Furthermore, if the ACR is not performed due to insufficient
amount of the residual toner, color registration is performed using
the previous or lately updated color registration adjustment value.
Because unnecessary ACR operations are skipped, use of toner for
density pattern and ACR pattern output can be reduced, and the user
inconvenience of having to perform ACR during the printing can be
reduced, and as a result, the overall quality of the set
increases.
[0186] In addition, the user can determine whether to perform the
ACR in the case where the residual quantity of toner is
insufficient, and thus the user's range of options increases.
[0187] Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive
concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these
embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the
general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the
appended claims and their equivalents.
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